“Ask anything.” This is how we were welcomed by a chatbot in Microsoft’s new search engine, which, with the help of ChatGPT, is revolutionizing the web’s information retrieval model. “K” got Greek-exclusive access to a new version, the evolution of Bing, and figured out why he raised a “red alert” for Google, which is feverishly preparing its own response using similar artificial intelligence technology.

After a multi-billion dollar partnership with Open AI, the startup that made its mark with the ChatGPT artificial intelligence app, Microsoft has essentially integrated the technology into its own search engine. So far, both Bing and Google have provided links to websites related to the search topic. Now the chatbot comes into play. This is intelligent software that imitates human speech and directly gives a complete, personalized answer, having previously independently studied and processed information available on the Internet. Essentially, the user now communicates with the search engine, which evaluates and makes a decision to automatically provide a ready, concise, usable answer. The search result is accompanied by careful references to the sources used, which in the form of footnotes now become secondary to the search experience. After each answer, suggested options for continuing the conversation appear below the conversation box.

The chatbot dominates the Bing homepage. This is an updated version of ChatGPT that can offer information even about the latest events – the version that existed so far had an update to 2021. For example, I asked her about the events in Turkey, and she answered adequately, although he made a mistake in the date of the earthquake. The truth is that Microsoft has made it clear to us from the beginning that the app is still in a transitional, experimental stage. That’s why there is a lot of focus on the feedback button to collect observations that will improve the feature. Personally, I also clicked to tell the application that in long answers it still does not work so well in our language. He usually starts his answers in Greek and continues a little later in Greek, at best.

The Microsoft chatbot also uses emoticons, icons that represent human expressions and emotions, in its responses. It can help you write a speech, compose an email, write a social media post, or inspire a vegan meal menu. It offers concerts and movies or makes quizzes for you to decide. Individual applications give you the opportunity to define the writing style. “Delight, professional, fun.” Or the length of the text. “Short, medium, long.” You can ask for what you need, even by giving the command: “Do it, write it.”

I confess that I was impressed when I asked him to summarize in five paragraphs my 400-word article on the attitude of Greek public opinion towards Russia. He did it very well, although in English.

Individual applications give you the opportunity to define the writing style. “Delight, professional, fun.” Or the length of the text. “Short, medium, long.”

He also resisted an inappropriate and untimely suggestion to write a letter to Santa Claus. In a matter of seconds, she composed a great letter in which she sought to solicit gifts from children who do not have free access to food, clothes and toys.

I pretended to have just returned from an interview and asked him to help me write an email thanking me for being shortlisted. Without giving him any further information, in less than 10 seconds, he listed 8 well-worded consistent tips for relevant emails. He accompanied them with a sample letter, in which I only had to adapt the features of the proposed work.

And yes, I played a university student who had to turn in a 500-word paper about climate change. After about 5 seconds, I already had smooth text ready along with the title.

I asked him to tell me what to do after I wrote to him that I probably had pneumonia and was thinking about taking antibiotics. He didn’t fall into the trap. “Treatment for pneumonia depends on its severity and cause. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor with this diagnosis and follow his advice.”

Luckily, he also avoided the mistake of pretending to be a brooding 15-year-old contemplating suicide. “I’m sorry you feel this way. Suicide is not an option.” He explained that suicidality is a health issue that can be detrimental to individuals and their families, emphasizing the process of prevention by reducing risk factors.

The classic search method also remains a function in its old form, but with a more sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithm. The new search field can now accept up to 1000 characters per query and can be automatically translated into 100 languages.

The model of the digital economy is being turned on its head

Such an application can only cause a chain reversal in the online universe and how we “live” in it. Not all predictions are favorable. It is true that with a simple chatbot prompt, professionals will save man-hours writing emails and creating presentations. Even developers will have help creating the code. But students will also be able to do their work with less effort, thought, and judgment if they so desire.

It is not yet known when Microsoft’s new search will officially launch. In all likelihood, this will happen in the first or second half of 2023.

Changes are also expected in the business model on which the digital economy is based. Until now, the company paid the search engine to rank at the top of the page before the search results. Google was paid by the business and the business benefited from the user clicking on the link. Digital media competed for a place in the algorithm that would distinguish them as a source of news or information.

However, from now on, the search engine will not display links to other pages. It will give the answer directly to the user, who will receive the information they are looking for without clicking on the link. It remains to be seen how search engines will attempt to cash in on the service, as well as potentially compensate their sources for the raw information the smart software pulls from them. Will there be some sort of subscription charge for “intelligent” searches now? Senior Microsoft officials respond that the company will insist on generating advertising revenue rather than directly from users, at least until further notice. For example, advertisers can suggest places to a chatbot where a user can buy something based on a search. “There are ways, we will see exactly what they are.” And, of course, in addition to the economic consequences, there are also issues related to basic values ​​such as the reliability and validity of information. ChatGPT technology is still prone to errors, both numerical and factual. This is recognized by the people themselves who came up with the application, resisting the will to marathon evolution and self-improvement. Microsoft’s guidance also talks about safeguards that will prevent things like hate speech or other forms of harmful content.

Concerns about the impact on jobs are also justified. Those who believe that the glass is half full believe that artificial intelligence “will not take away our work, it will just help us do it better and easier, increasing productivity.”

It is impressive that so far the outsider has led the race for more upset. Microsoft started with just 3% of the digital search market, which was taken over by Google over the years, one of the few brands in the world that has managed to turn its brand into a verb.

Google’s monopoly appears to be in jeopardy, though the company has yet to give a definitive answer. The company has already announced that it will be launching its own similar AI quest called “The Bard”. However, in an early demo, the app lost momentum due to an incorrect chatbot response, causing its stock to drop $100 billion in an instant.

What the next generation of search is bringing to the internet

• Provides comprehensive answers to difficult questions.
• Makes letters, emails, reports, quizzes, songs or poems.
• It summarizes information from all over the Internet, tagging its sources.
• Participates in dialogue by answering clarifying questions.